Chapter 29.1

Lia’s mind went blank for a moment as if someone had struck her on the head. She stood speechless for a while, stunned by what he’d said, and then finally shook her head as she scoffed, “Are you seriously insane? I’m a boy.”

“No, you’re a lady. And an engagement next year sounds good to me. Go back to being Canillian Vale after an official debutante.”

“Prince Ian!” Lia yelled as she jumped up from the sofa. She could feel that her cheeks were bright red from anger and embarrassment. She couldn’t accept a single word from Ian Sergio.

“What, do you have a man in your heart? Ah, perhaps Duke Claude Del Ihar?” The man ridiculed her while brushing back his wet hair. Meanwhile, Lia couldn’t respond because she couldn’t breathe due to the sheer ridiculousness of his accusation.

“Canillia, you’ve got one year. Think about my offer carefully. The only person that can save you from that witch-like Marchioness is me.”

“I decline,” Lia spat out what came from her heart without having to think about it further.

Ian nodded as if he knew that would be the answer. While interlocking his fingers behind his head, he laid down on the sofa. “You decline too quickly. I said I’ll give you the time to think, Canillia. Your appearance right now isn’t normal.”

“You’re also not normal, Prince Ian. We’ve seen each other only three times. But a proposal all of a sudden? Also, I am not going to get married.”

“Then, I’ll just have to be at your funeral.”

Lia stopped as she was turning around to leave. Her body froze, and her heart started to beat faster. “Did you overhear that?”

Ian opened his eyes at Lia’s suddenly fearful words. “Elegant Marchioness needs to lower her voice. Do you think that only I heard it? She wants to perform a funeral for a live person. The thought was perfectly fitting for the vile Marchioness.”

Lia felt an odd sensation at the curses said behind her back, but she refused to allow them to affect her. She didn’t want to be an escape-goat for diplomacy for political affairs. And besides, Lia wasn’t a noble and had to disappear at some point. If that was the case, she wanted to disappear without a trace. “Even so, I don’t want to be tied down. It’s weird, don’t you think, Ian? Marriage, engagement.”

“There’s nothing weird about this. I’ve just fallen for you. So we will have to get to know each other slowly for the next year. I will hear your answer then.” Ian’s gaze fell upon the candy jar she was holding. It looked like he wasn’t too pleased with it, but after a minute, he scoffed with one corner of his mouth lifted as usual, “Just a heads up, Kieran is arriving in ten days. So I hope we get along for ten days, Canillia. Don’t think about kicking me out of the townhouse.”

***

When Ian mentioned they’d be together for ten days, Lia’s head had spun. Since coming up to the capital, she’d not had a single night of proper rest, and Lia was feeling the fatigue with her entire body. No wonder Betty told me to be careful.

Lia did her best to keep her eyes open wide and got ready to go to the Academy. Today was the day to decide her level before officially joining. She looked good in the uniform Pepe had prepared for her. As she stood in front of the mirror, Lia noticed that her hair had become fluffier as it had grown, and her facial features had become more defined since she’d lost her baby fat.

Of course, she was the only one feeling the change in her body. As the undergarment that fastened around her chest became more uncomfortable, she was conscious of the changes in her body.

Looking in the mirror one last time, Lia adjusted her uncomfortable chest and left the room. When she walked out of the mansion, she noticed Ian, who was taking care of a magnificent dark-brown horse, waving his hand to get her attention. But Lia made a point of ignoring him and turned to the maid instead. “I’ll be off, Pepe.”

“Be safe, young master.”

“I might be late.”

“Okay.” Pepe looked alert as she glanced at Ian. She considered him an enemy after seeing him propose to Lia the other night. Pepe made it known that she didn’t like Ian because he’d put Canillia in an awkward position. Having made a resolution to hate him, she stopped him when he approached her until Lia had left in the carriage.

Because it was early in the morning, the street was full of people going to work, and Pepe felt like she understood why the Marquis had found Lia a place nearby the Academy.

After leaving the war-like street, the carriage went across Iona Park, and Lia looked out at the large green trees, wondering what the day ahead would bring. When they stopped in front of the Academy, the main entrance was full of chatting students. In among the crowd, Lia saw a familiar face, and the concierge recognized her too. He smiled and greeted her warmly, “Welcome, Sir Canillian.”

Lia said hello after getting off the carriage and was then absorbed into the crowd. But she stuck out like a sore thumb because of her light blonde and beautiful face with defined features. Even though the uniform was covering her body, Lia looked different compared to the broad-shouldered men, and this attracted curious gazes.

Another familiar person followed behind her as she was walking bravely down the cobbled pathway. “It’s been a while, Canillian.”

Lia turned around and immediately recognized the man, “Why hello, Count Tholin.”

If it was to be judged by the ranking of the families, then Tholin should’ve greeted her more politely. But he arrogantly looked down on her as he said disrespectfully, “I was hoping Marquis Kieran was going to return, but an imitation of him came instead.”